TPCC delays final boundary change for MPO planning area; staff to consult Forest Service and other MPOs

TPCC discussed proposed updates to the MPO planning-area boundary tied to the redesignation process and asked staff to research potential consequences before the committee takes a final vote.

Staff said small, routine edits are needed to fully contain the urban area inside the planning area and flagged a possible removal of the Rattlesnake Wilderness and other federal/state land in the northern planning area that staff do not anticipate urbanizing in the next 20 years. The staff-recommended options were: (1) make a limited change that extends the planning area to fully contain the urban area and remove the wilderness tract, or (2) undertake a more detailed, expedited analysis of federal and state lands to determine whether additional areas should remain in or be removed from the planning area.

Committee members raised two principal concerns: whether inclusion in the MPO planning area helps protect public lands from disposal or development, and whether removing federal wilderness or forest land could reduce local influence over resource decisions. Several members said MPO inclusion alone is unlikely to change federal land disposition decisions and encouraged staff to consult the U.S. Forest Service and other MPOs that face similar boundaries for practical experience.

Staff committed to follow up with more research — including reaching out to neighboring MPOs and to the Forest Service about the ongoing forest plan process — and return to TPCC with recommendations. Members noted the planning-area boundary is typically reviewed with long-range plan updates or census-driven analyses but can be amended sooner if circumstances change.

No final motion was taken; TPCC asked staff to return with the more detailed analysis before finalizing the planning-area boundary changes for redesignation.